Compression screw assembly

ABSTRACT

A compression screw assembly for applying compression to a fractured bone includes a lag screw, a compression plate including a hollow barrel member adapted to receive the lag screw in at least one fixed orientation, a wrench assembly adapted to releasably engage the lag screw in axial alignment therewith, and apparatus having surface contours complimentary with the outer surface of the lag screw and inner surface of the barrel member for being optionally insertable into the barrel member to prevent axial rotation of the lag screw with respect to the barrel member.

This is a divisional of co-pending application Ser. No. 340,093 filed onJan. 18, 1982, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,355.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a compression screw assembly forapplying a compressive force to a fractured bone and more specificallyto a compression screw system including a lag screw, compression plateand compression screw which can be assembled, aligned and installed sothat the lag screw is non-rotatably secured to the compression plate atthe option of the surgeon.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Workers in the art have devised various compression screw systems forapplying compression to a fractured bone. Generally, the systems includea lag screw which extends from the shaft of the bone through thefracture and is anchored in the head of the bone, a compression platewhich is adapted to extend over at least a portion of the head of thelag screw and which is anchored to the shaft of the bone and acompression screw which extends from the compression plate to the lagscrew to permit the application of a compressive force between the lagscrew and the compression plate.

It is often desirable to assure that the lag screw is non-rotatablysecured to the compression plate. Generally this is accomplished in akeyed system by providing the lag screw with a longitudinally directedkeyway, and by providing the portion of the hollow barrel of thecompression plate that extends over the head of the lag screw with acorresponding longitudinally directed key. The problem with thesesystems is that it is difficult to insert the compression plate over thelag screw so that the key and keyway are aligned properly because thelag screw is driven completely into the bone before the compressionplate is inserted.

One method for alleviating the problem of aligning the lag screw andcompression plate is to provide an extension attached to the head of thelag screw to permit the lag screw to be aligned with the plate barrelmore easily. A second method is to recess the key of the barrel memberaway from the front end of the barrel member so that the alignmentoccurs in two distinct steps: first, the aperture of the barrel memberof the compression plate is aligned with the lag screw; and second, thekey of the barrel member is aligned with the keyway of the lag screw. Ina still further method as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,591, a barrelguide means having an extension member extending outward of the bone andhaving a cross section similar to that of the lag screw is used so thatthe barrel member of the compression plate is aligned on the extensionmember before it is inserted into the fractured bone.

A major disadvantage of the compression screw systems mentioned above isthat the surgeon must determine before the insertion of the lag screwwhether to use a keyed system or a non-keyed system. If a keyed systemis to be used, the lag screw and compression plate must have the keywayand key, respectively. If a non-keyed system is to be used, the lagscrew must be able to freely rotate within the barrel of the compressionplate.

Accordingly, here exists a need for a compression screw assembly whereinthe parts are properly aligned and installed and thereafter the lagscrew may be non-rotatably secured to the compression plate at theoption of the surgeon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a compression screw system including alag screw, compression plate, compression screw and wrench assemblywhereby the lag screw can be non-rotatably secured to the compressionplate at the option of the surgeon. In addition, the compression screwsystem can be assembled and properly aligned prior to the insertion ofthe lag screw and compression plate into the bone.

The compression plate includes a hollow barrel member adapted to receiveone end of the lag screw in at least one fixed orientation. The barrelmember and lag screw are adapted to receive a member, preferably a clip,therebetween which, when inserted between the inner surface of thebarrel member and the lag screw, prevents axial rotation of the lagscrew with respect to the barrel member of the compression plate as in akeyed system. If the clip is not inserted within the barrel member ofthe compression plate the lag screw is able to freely rotate withrespect to the compression plate as in a keyless system. The clip may beinserted within the barrel member of the compression plate at the optionof the surgeon, and the decision of the surgeon may be reserved untilthe time when the clip is to be inserted.

Preferably, the wrench assembly includes a wrench for releasablyengaging the lag screw into the bone, a member for holding the clip inplace on the wrench prior to the insertion of the clip into the barrelmember of the compression plate, a member for pushing the clip from theholding member into the barrel member of the compression plate betweenthe inner surface of the barrel member and the lag screw, and astabilizing rod for stabilizing the wrench assembly during the insertionof the lag screw and compression plate into the fractured bone.

In the preferred embodiment, the contour of the outer surfaces of thelag screw and the wrench are identical and are adapted so that thecompression plate, clip, holding member and pushing member which haveidentical corresponding inner surface contours, can be inserted over thewrench and lag screw in the proper axial alignment. Preferably, theconfigurations are substantially round and include two flat portions,spaced 180° apart. Thus, the compression screw system can be alignedproperly by aligning the flat portions of each member of the assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the hip screw assembly as installed in abone according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the compression plate of the assemblyshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the compression plate shown in FIG.2 taken along the line III--III;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the clip of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the clip shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the clip shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the clip shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the clip holder for the clip shown in FIG.4;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the clip holder shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the clip holder shown in FIG. 9 takenalong the line X--X;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the clip holder shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the clip holder shown in FIG. 8taken along the line XII--XII;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the clip pusher for the clip shownin FIG. 4;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the clip pusher shown in FIG. 13taken along the line XIV--XIV;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the clip pusher shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the clip pusher as shown in FIG.13;

FIG. 17 is a top sectional view of the shaft assembly showing the clippusher, clip holder and clip assembled for installation;

FIG. 18 side sectional view of the shaft assembly as shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a top view, in partial cutaway, of the hip screw assemblyprior to the installation of the hip screw; and

FIG. 20 is a side view of the hip screw assembly shown in FIG. 19;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the Figures, compression screw assembly 10 consists of lagscrew 20, compression plate 30, clip 40, wrench 50, stabilizing rod 60,clip holder 70, clip pusher 80 and compression screw 90.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 19 and 20, lag screw 20 includes a screw head 21formed at one end of an elongated shaft 22 adapted to be installed intothe shaft of the fractured bone, through the fracture, and anchored inthe head of the fractured bone. Shaft 22 has a substantially circularcross section with flat portions 23 formed on either side of its outeredge. The second end of lag screw 20 includes drive portion 24. Thecross section of drive portion 24 is smaller than that of the remainderof lag screw 20, and is preferably of a modified hexagonal configurationhaving six sides, one pair of opposing sides being of a different lengththan the other four sides. Drive portion 23 is adapted to fit withinbore 54 of wrench 50 when compression screw assembly 10 is assembled.Lag screw 20 has a bore extending therethrough so that lag screw 20 canbe inserted over a guide wire. The bore of lag screw 20 contains athreaded portion 25 so that compression screw 90 can be threadedtherein. In addition, the threaded portion formed at the lower end ofstabilizing rod 60 is inserted within threaded portion 25 whencompression screw assembly 10 is assembled.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 19 and 20 compression plate 30 includesbarrel member 31 having a bore 32 extending therethrough of a size thatpermits bore 32 to accept the second end of lag screw 20 through end 33of compression plate 30. The surface of bore 32 of barrel member 31includes two flat portions 34 corresponding to flat portions 23 formedon the outer surface of lag screw 20 to permit insertion of clip 40between flat portions 34 of barrel member 31 and flat portions 23 formedon the outer surface of lag screw 20. Each flat portion 34 includes anindentation 35 adapted to receive a tang 44 of clip 40. End 36 of bore32 is adapted to receive compression screw 90 therein. Compression plate30 also includes a member 37 for enabling compression plate 30 to beanchored to the shaft of the bone. Member 37 contains a plurality ofholes 38 for the insertion of bone screws therethrough in order toanchor compression plate 30 to the shaft of the bone.

Clip 40, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 through 7, and 17 through 19,includes ring 41 having two flat portions 42. The inner surface of ring41 is of a size that permits ring 41 to accept the second end of lagscrew 20 and wrench 50; the outer edge of ring 41 is of a size adaptedto permit insertion of clip 40 into bore 32 of barrel member 31 and bore72 of clip holder 70 that clip 40 can be inserted within bore 32 ofbarrel member 31 between the outer edge of lag screw 20 and the inneredge of barrel member 31. Two elongated members 43 extendperpendicularly from flat portions 42 of rings 41. Members 43 includetangs 44 which are adpted to be received by indentations 35 formed inthe inner surface of barrel 31 of compression plate 30 and grooves 75 ofclip holder 70.

Referring to FIGS. 17 through 20, wrench 50 includes bore 51 adapted toreceive stabilizing rod 60. As shown in FIG. 17, the shaft of wrench 50includes a first portion or lower shaft 52 and a second portion or uppershaft 57. Lower shaft 52 has a smaller circumference than upper shaft57. The lower shaft 52 of wrench 50 has an outer surface cross-sectionadapted to match that of lag screw 20 and includes flat portions 53which correspond to flat portions 23 of lag screw 20. The end of lowershaft 52 contains drive portion 54, the inner surface of which has ashape corresponding to drive portion 24 of lag screw 20 and is adaptedto accept drive portion 24. Depth markings 55, formed in the non-flatportions of wrench 50, are used as assembly 10 is installed in a boneshaft. Lower shaft 52 includes stops 56 formed on its outer surface atits upper end. Stops 56 are protruding portions of lower shaft 52 whichare used to prevent premature separation of clip 40 and clip holder 70.The outer edge of upper shaft 57 of wrench 50 is of a largercircumference than that of lower shaft 52 and does not include any flatportions. Upper shaft 57 ends in a T-shaped handle 58. The plane passingthrough both arms of handle 58 is perpendicular to the plane passingthrough flat portions 53.

As illustrated in FIGS. 17 through 20, stabilizing rod 60 is insertedthrough bore 51 of wrench 50. Stabilizing rod 60 is cannulated so thatcompression screw system 10 can be threaded over a guide wire to aid indirecting the insertion of lag screw 20 into the bone. Stabilizing rod60 includes a threaded portion at its lower end which can be threadedwithin portion 25 of lag screw 20. Stabilizing rod 60 also includesknurled end 62.

Clip holder 70, shown in FIGS. 8 through 12 and 17 through 20, includesan upper barrel portion 71 having a bore 72 extending therethrough andtwo elongated members 73 extending therefrom. The inner surface of clipholder 70 includes flat portions 74. The inner surface of clip holder 70is adapted to receive clip 40 and includes grooves 75 that receive tangs44 of clip 40.

Referring to FIGS. 13 through 20, clip pusher 80 includes barrel portion81 having a bore 82 extending therethrough, and knurled end 83. Barrelportion 81 includes slots 84 formed in either side. As clip pusher 80 isslid along wrench 50, the lower end of each slot 84 engages a stop 56 toprevent further movement of clip pusher 80 along wrench 50. Ring 85 isdisposed within knurled end 83 to frictionally engage upper shaft 57 ofwrench 50 as clip pusher 80 is slid along wrench 50. The outer surfaceof clip pusher 80 includes flat portions 86 at its lower endcorresponding to flat portions 74 of clip holder 70.

Compression screw 90, shown in FIG. 1, includes threaded shaft 91 whichcan be threaded into portion 25 of lag screw 20, and includes slot drive92. Other well known drives, such as the hex drive, may be used.

In order to assemble compression screw assembly 10, clip pusher 80 ismounted, knurled end 83 first, over the lower shaft 52 of wrench 50 sothat flat portions 53 of wrench 50 are aligned with slots 84 of clippusher 80. Clip pusher 80 is slid along shaft 52 of wrench 50 untilslots 84 engage stops 56 of wrench 50 and ring 85 engages upper shaft 57of wrench 50. Clip 40 then is inserted within bore 72 of clip holder 70so that flat portions 42 of clip 40 are aligned with flat portions 74 ofclip holder 70 and tangs 44 of clip 40 are disposed within grooves 75 ofclip holder 70. Elongated members 43 of clip 40 are disposed underelongated members 73 of clip holder 70. Clip holder 70, now containingclip 40, is mounted, barrel portion 71 first, over lower shaft 52 ofwrench 50 until clip holder 70 engages clip pusher 80.

Once clip 40, clip pusher 80 and clip holder 70 are in place,compression plate 30 is slid end 36 first, over lower shaft 52 of wrench50. Wrench stabilizing rod 60 is inserted within bore 51 of wrench 50.The threaded portion of stabilizing rod 60 is threaded within portion 25of lag screw 20 and drive portion 24 of lag screw 20 is inserted withincorresponding drive portion 54 of wrench 50.

To use the compression screw system of the present invention, thesurgeon must first insert a guide wire in to the fractured bone, andthen use a reamer to ream out the root diameter corresponding to thesize of lag screw 20 and the opening for the outside diameter of thebarrel member 31 of compression plate 30.

Because stabilizing rod 60 is cannulated, compression screw assembly 10can be inserted over the guide wire. Lag screw 20 is then threadedpartway into the bone by turning handle 58 of wrench 50. Compressionplate 30 is slid forward over insertion wrench 50 and over shaft 22 oflag screw 20 until compression plate 20 is flush against the bone. Lagscrew 20 is then threaded fully into the bone to the proper depth asindicated by depth markings 55 on wrench 50.

If lag screw 20 and compression plate 30 are to be inserted so that lagscrew 20 is non-rotatably secured to compression plate 30, clip pusher80 with clip holder 70 and clip 40 attached is pushed forward until clipholder 70 touches and centers on compression plate 30, then pushedagain, more firmly, to slide clip 40 from within clip holder 70 and intobarrel member 31 of compression plate 30 so that tangs 44 of clip 40become disposed within indentations 35 of barrel member 31. Once clip 40is in place, clip pusher 80 and clip holder 70 are slipped back downinsertion wrench 50. Stabilizing rod 60 is unthreaded from lag screw 20and wrench 50 and stabilizer rod 60 are removed.

Regardless of whether clip 40 is inserted, compression screw 90 may beinserted through barrel 31 of compression plate 30 and threaded intothreaded portion 25 of lag screw 20 to obtain a tight compressionbetween lag screw 20 and compression plate 30. Once the desired amountof compression has been achieved, compression screw 90 may be removed orleft in place at the option of the surgeon.

Finally, compression plate 30 is anchored to the bone by inserting bonescrews through apertures 38 of member 37 and into the bone.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lag screw for a compression screw assembly comprising:an engaging means formed thereon for coacting with a second complementary engaging means formed on the interior surface of a hollow barrel member of a compression plate so that said lag screw is adapted to be received into the hollow barrel member in at least one fixed orientation, said engaging means and said second complementary engaging means being proportioned to accept therebetween a third complementary engaging means of a means for being optionally insertable into the barrel member in order to selectively prevent axial rotation of said lag screw with respect to the barrel member; and a means for coacting with a wrench assembly so that said lag screw can be releasably engaged by the wrench assembly in axial alignment therewith.
 2. A lag screw as recited in claim 1 wherein said engaging means are opposing flat portions on said lag screw, said second complementary engaging means are opposing flat portions on the interior surface of the hollow barrel member and said third complementary engaging means are opposing flat portions on the optionally insertable means to prevent axial rotation.
 3. A lag screw as recited in claim 1 wherein said coacting means is a drive portion contoured for insertion within the bore of the wrench assembly so that the compression screw assembly can be assembled and axialy aligned prior to the insertion of said lag screw into bone.
 4. A lag screw for use within the hollow barrel portion of the plate of a compression screw assembly, comprising:an elongated body member; and a first engaging surface formed on said body member and adapted for confronting alignment with a second engaging surface formed on the interior of said barrel; said first and second engaging surfaces being contoured relative to each other to receive therebetween an optionally insertable means having surface contours complementary with said first and second engaging surfaces to selectively prevent axial rotation of said body member with respect to said hollow barrel of said plate. 